FR25 TD Drama workshop : ‘European cultural diversity’

The students were divided into 8 groups of different countries (groups of 4 to 6 students, 3 to 4 countries in each group). 

First of all, it was recalled that cultural diversity within the EU is a specific feature symbolised by the EU motto ‘United in diversity’ and that in the field of culture, which is still largely the responsibility of the Member States, the EU plays a complementary role in encouraging European cooperation and defending cultural diversity. European cultural policy was born in 1977 with the European Commission's cultural action plan. In 1992, with the Maastricht Treaty, Europeans recognised that the EU contributes to the flowering of the cultures of the Member States, while respecting their national diversity. The idea of ‘cultural diversity’ was enshrined. In this way, Europe contributes to the promotion of creativity, the economic development of the cultural sector, citizens' access to culture and the promotion of European culture in the world. A number of European cultural events have also been organised in recent decades. Each group then chose a cultural event from a list and played a role-playing game on it :

1- Debate on linguistic diversity in the European Union 

2- Theatre scene featuring a legend from each country illustrating the same moral

3- Speeches by the 3 or 4 winning cities to become European Capital of Culture

4- European dance competition 

5- Organisation of a mediation event at a site in their city during the European Heritage Days

6- Speeches by the 3 or 4 winning countries at Eurovision

7- Interview with the last 3 or 4 winners of the Lux Prize 

8- Report on a European restaurant awarded by Europa Nostra 

For 2 hours, each group wrote and staged a 5-minute role-play about the cultural event they had chosen, in the form associated with it.

For one hour, each group presented its role-play to the other groups, to celebrate cultural diversity within the EU. At the end of the role-plays, which consisted of speeches by prize-winners (European Capital of Culture, Eurovision, Lux Prize) or competitions (European dances), a vote was held among all the students to choose the favourite role-play.